Leeds Rhinos ‘sign’ Catalans Dragons forward in surprise transfer deal

Leeds Rhinos have signed Catalans Dragons forward Edenn Rogers-Smith, according to reports emerging from France.

The Rhinos have been on the lookout for new recruits for most of the summer, as they look to build a squad that will be able to continue the success they have enjoyed this season under Brad Arthur.

The likes of Mikolaj Oledzki, Cameron Smith and Harry Newman will all depart – but it appears the Rhinos have headed across the Channel for their next signing.

Rogers-Smith ‘signs’ for Leeds

Rogers-Smith agreed a short-term deal with Catalans for the rest of the 2026 season when he signed with the Dragons earlier this summer.

However, respected French outlet L’Independent is now reporting that Rogers-Smith will swap France for England in 2027 after agreeing to sign with Leeds.

The back rower has made four appearances for Catalans since joining the club and has stood out as one of their better performers under John Cartwright.

But the 26-year-old will now seemingly make Leeds his next home, in what will be another big tick in the box for Arthur’s recruitment plans for 2027.

Rogers-Smith would appear to be a direct replacement for outgoing second rower James McDonnell, who will join Perth Bears along with Newman and Oledzki.

Leeds also let Ethan O’Neill leave mid-season after he struggled for game-time at the Rhinos following a move to the club in the off-season.

Interestingly, news of Rogers-Smith’s move to AMT Headingley comes on the same day that Arthur admitted Leeds may be able to do some imminent transfer business for the rest of this year. Rogers-Smith was also a notable omission from Catalans’ 21-man squad for this Thursday’s game against defending Super League champions Hull KR.

Catalans’s Solomona Faataape decision explained

Meanwhile, Dragons president Bernard Guasch has spoke to the same publication about the decision to cash in on the final year of centre Solomona Faataape’s contract.

It has now been reported that Hull FC, St Helens and Warrington Wolves were all interested in Faataape, with the Saints eventually winning the race to sign him after tabling a significant transfer fee.

And Guasch has claimed that the Dragons were ‘hounded’ by Faataape’s agent over a desire to improve his 2027 contract and sign an extension on enhanced financial terms.

However, the Catalans boss admitted that was a deal they did not feel comfortable doing – leading them to agree a deal to sell him to the Saints.

“We’ve been hounded by his agent for three months to increase the value of his second contract year and sign a third,” Guasch said. “The agent’s demands didn’t align with our financial means, so we accepted St Helens’ offer to buy out the remaining year of the contract.”